Earlier this week I wrote about the Christmas that I got overwhelmed by preparations and tangled up in unrealistic expectations. I never wanted to have that kind of Christmas again so I decided to get intentional about making Jesus the center of my attention each December that followed. And it’s made a big difference.
The first thing I do is look for reminders of Christ everywhere I go. Each time I see a Christmas symbol, I pause and ponder its significance. For instance, when I see a Christmas tree, I stop and think about the wooden cradle and Cross that held my Savior. The evergreen also reminds me that from the cradle to the Cross, Jesus lived and died to give me the gift of everlasting Life.
Stars on houses and treetops remind me of the Star of Bethlehem that led the way to Jesus. Wreaths on doors remind me of His unending circle of grace and mercy. Christmas reds remind me of His lavish love and sacrificial blood that was shed for me.
A favorite of mine is the candy cane. The twists and turns of red and white stripes remind me of His Holiness and His promise declaring that “by His stripes we are healed.” Shaped like a shepherd’s crook, I remember and thank Him for being my Shepherd. Then I turn it upside down and see a J for Jesus, reminding me again that Christmas is all about Him.
Another secret to keeping my sanity is simplifying. This doesn’t come easy for me. Yet I can’t help but remember how that first Christmas was so very simple. So, I’m moving my heart in that direction by focusing in on what matters most to Jesus and me. I’ve started letting go of the things that stress me most.
I want peace more than anything this Christmas. Isaiah 26:12 reminds me where it comes from, “Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us.” The truth is, Peace comes when I do less and trust Him more. Peace stays when I make room for it in my day, in my heart and in my home.
I’ve also simplified by asking my husband and kids what traditions and decorations matter most to them. Driving around looking at Christmas lights and having a Christmas tree was at the top of their list. They also want a few decorations in each room downstairs to remind them all day that it’s Christmas.
This year we’re putting out our favorite things, but not all our things. Andrew loves our Christmas village so it stayed but I did away with the white sparkly cotton that went under it. It was messy and drove me crazy. Now our little Christmas town warms our imaginations but doesn’t make me want to hide in the steeple of the miniature church. That’s progress.
Here are a few more “simplifying” suggestions some of you shared on my Facebook page this week:
- Enjoy one fun activity a week – like going to a Christmas movie or play, staying home drinking hot chocolate and eating cookies, going to a Christmas church activity, or reading a Christmas book, Christmas magazines, enjoying Christmas games and puzzles. ~Joyce Watson
- Find crafts that double as decorations. The kids have fun, and get to have pride in seeing what they did everywhere they look. Bake together and give treats as presents. ~Tricia Preston
- Take pictures of your decorations so that next year isn’t stressful trying to find a perfect place for everything. ~Julie Leary Hull
- Decorate only 4 main areas: door, table, tree, mantle. It “covers” enough to be festive but you don’t feel like you have to decorate every inch. ~Linda Elliot Moore
- Let kids help decorate and don’t stress if your house doesn’t look like Southern Living:-) ~ Kelly Casse Thomas
- Make bows with wired ribbon to put here and there, to add just a pretty touch. Pick long needle pine branches, put a bunch in a vase with a bow. Very Christmassy! ~Sandy Allen
- Ask “Will it still be Christmas if I don’t…?” (Buy one more gift, make one more batch of cookies, host a Christmas party, etc.) Christmas will come whether we have presents or not, whether our husband is here or not, whether we have 3 Christmas trees, just one or none. Only ONE thing is needed. ~Deb Galetka Heath
This week God reminded me that by simply seeking understanding from Him, and acquiring knowledge from those we love, we can fill our hearts and homes with rare and beautiful treasures made up of Christmas memories, traditions, laughter, peace and joy that will last long after the parties are over, the leftovers are eaten and the decorations are put away!
Christmas Giveaway
Which Christmas symbol or tradition is your favorite and why? Are there things you are doing this year to simplify and make room at the Inn of your heart and home for Christ this Christmas?
Discover more from Renee Swope
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
This is my first Christmas as a married woman. My husband has a three year old son and we are attempting to start our own traditions as a family. Putting up the tree has been our little one's favorite so far. A personal tradition I have is reading a Christmas book or devotion everyday during the few weeks leading up to Christmas….hoping the Christmas spirit will stay in my heart all year.
My favorite tradition is remembering the Reason for the Season. Remembering God gave Jesus to us as a gift. I also like to go look at decorations with my daughter just before the 25th.
Our favorite tradition is baking and decorating cookies and decorating the tree and watching some of the memorable Christmas movies together as a family. Thank you for the giveaway. Merry Christmas
[email protected]
My favorite Christmas symbol is the star. The reminder of the guiding light placed in the sky by God that wonderful night to guide people to Christ.
My favorite tradition is making cookies. The fellowship while baking, be it with friends or my daughter is wonderful! We always make them to give away as gifts to people.
This past Saturday, my mom and I had our 2nd annual baking day, and this year my aunt from Kansas was able to be with us! We had so much fun baking, laughing, spilling stuff, and we shared with each other what God was teaching us in the past few weeks. It was a special time to be with women in my family, and share our hearts with each other, share in the baking, and family recipes. Another aunt will be joining us next year!
I love this new "tradition" we have started!
I have 2 favorites…my first is our Jesse Tree (our children make each ornament) and my second is putting out our Nativity set on the mantel (and adding the Baby Jesus to the manger on Christmas morning).
Last year we got a Nativity set where you read scripture every night and open a box to see what is inside of it. My kids loved it and couldn't wait to start it this year!
One of my favorite traditions is that we pick a day before Christmas to write letters to Jesus. Each year we write about something we want to give to Him, then we read our letters Christmas morning. It stops the Christmas frenzy and helps us get quiet and focus on the heart of our savior. We save the letters and reread them each year. They're a wonderful record of the passing years (some letters have pictures and baby scrawls). Our family looks forward to both the letter writing time and when we read them.
our favorite tradition is setting up the nativities – we have quite a few, from all over the world… it helps remind us that "God so loved the world…"
One of my favourite traditions is setting a place for Jesus at our Christmas dinner table. We place a crown that my son made when he was just little, on the special place setting and this gives a visual reminder of His presence as we celebrate His birthday.
We are looking forward to welcoming Diane to our home this Christmas. She arrives this Wednesday and we are so excited about celebrating Christmas with her this year. It will be extra special. 🙂
It was wonderful to spend time with Sharon Jaynes in January when she came to our church. Her book sounds delightful.
Blessings to you my friend.
Hugs,
Joy
PS. Did you get my email? No worries…just wondering if it arrived.
This year we took a piece of the nativity each night and read a scripture about them. We've looked at Christmas lights, went to hospice in memory of my mother-in-law, and we'll go to the animal park and see the lights and animals next week!
Girl, I've simplified so much over the last couple of years! This year, my kids decorated the tree and took my decorations and put them out around the house. It's not Better Homes and Gardens but it's their home and they love it!
We read the Christmas story around the tree Christmas morning as the children set up our nativity. I wrap Baby Jesus as the first gift of Christmas.
Singing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus is one of our favorite traditions, of course my boys love blowing out the candles. I enjoy doing Christmas crafts with them and reading them Christmas stories. I am finding it's the simple things that they remember and enjoy the most.
I love how you described the symbolism wreaths can provide: "Wreaths on doors remind me of His unending circle of grace and mercy."
My husband and I are really wanting to show our faith to our families through our actions more boldly. So we're discussing ways to really center on Christ this Christmas, even in all the other family traditions.